The Bare-Buns Guide to Gran Canaria – On Nudist Beaches and Etiquette Rules

Getting to the beach and pulling off all your uncomfortable clothing is what you are desperately waiting for. Being completely united with nature. Feeling water, sun, and the warm sand all around your body.

Because you know already that Gran Canaria is a paradise for nudists. Probably the best one in Europe, as in Spain nudism is (theoretically) legal on all beaches. And no matter the effects of gravity on human bodies, you’d love to get naked on a stretch of sand.

But maybe other folks have a problem with gravity and its effect on your body. Or maybe you have a problem being surrounded by folks covering their shiniest body zones. Showing respect to other beach-goers is the most important rule on the beach, because the last thing you want is to offend anyone.

6 rules for going naked in Gran Canaria together with like-minded people

1. Look around you and see what the locals do

For women, being topless on Gran Canarian beaches is the most normal thing. Also, little kids often don’t wear anything. That doesn’t mean that men can let their whistle freely dance in the wind.

By doing so, you can expect a mob with pitchforks and torches blowing you off the beach. So, look around (don’t stare) at how the folks on beaches are dressed. Also, watch out for signs telling you about reserved spots for nudists.

2. Visit the reserved beach spots for nudists

We have some unofficial nudist beaches in Gran Canaria, and a few official ones for naturists.

The most famous nudist beach in Gran Canaria, centered between the Faro de Maspalomas and Playa del Inglés, is the main sunbathing spot for naturists and gays. Around beach kiosk N°5 and N°7, with the Dunes of Maspalomas at our back and the Atlantic Ocean at our front, you’ll find quite a scenic place. (If you don’t mind the troops of dressed beachwalkers passing this nudist beach every day.)

Besides the overcrowded nudist area at the Maspalomas beach, you will find lots of other idyllic natural beaches all around the island. They’re ideal for getting a tan without leaving ugly white stripes, and for having an absolutely relaxed day at the beach. For example, the beaches Medio Almud or Montaña de Arena are the favorite ones where locals go naked in the south.

In the island’s north, we have two more or less official nudist beaches. The first one is Playa de La Laja. That’s the first beach you see right before you enter the capital. Though it is permitted to slip off all your clothes, I rarely see anyone completely naked at this beach. Maybe because it’s less comfortable, as voyeurs, strollers and cyclists can look down at you from the higher beach promenade.

But El Confital, the northernmost part of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, might be worth a visit. The nudist zone starts at the end of the wooden boardwalk, from where you have extraordinary views to the Las Canteras beach and the north coast of Gran Canaria. It’s one of the best places for a romantic sunset with Tenerife’s Teide at the horizon.

The folks at above mentioned beach kiosk N°5 say “We’ve seen it all before.” And it’s OK to walk around the beach promenades in your beachwear—as long as you wear at least something. (Even in the capital, where it’s normal that people living close the beaches go for a cooling swim and get back home.) But when sitting down in a bar or restaurant, avoid discussions you won’t ever win. Shirt, shorts and flip-flops make everybody happy.

4. Respect people’s privacy

Sharing a beach with like-minded people doesn’t mean you can take a front-row seat to your neighbors’ holy of holies. Naturists mostly aren’t on nudist beaches to show off their pride. So, leave some space between you and others that you can’t see too many details.

The same rule applies when walking around the dunes, or the spare green bushland. You might, at times, find one or another busy hetero or gay couple. Leave them alone if they didn’t invite you upfront. Most importantly, don’t dare to dig out your superzoom camera.

5. Try not to get too excited

Mother Nature played some funny games with building humans, including some biological miracles. Use blinders if you can’t control yourself (or visit a swinger’s club). Nudist beaches aren’t the hotel buffet, where you can grab everything or take a bite from whatever you want.

Seriously, make your own and other naturists’ day at the nudist beaches a sunny day of relaxing, sunbathing, and refreshing baths in the Atlantic Ocean.

6. For your own comfort, use sunscreen

It’s crystal clear that you want to get a tan on every single centimeter of your body. But when you’re from northern countries, your skin isn’t used to getting so much sun. Getting a sunburn on your (usually) hidden body parts will be worse than just uncomfortable. Besides a few days of pain, men will look like Rudolph the Reindeer. If you’re a woman, you will walk like you are sitting on an imaginary horse.

Protect your sensitive parts with highly natural aloe vera cream, and do not hold your girly bits directly into the sun. You can get aloe vera anywhere in Gran Canaria. But take a close look to the ingredients and only buy a product with nearly 100 percent aloe.

Enjoy your sunbaths at Gran Canaria’s nudist beaches

Sticking to the above six rules, you will totally enjoy being naked at Gran Canaria’s hotspots for naturists. And you might want to repeat this experience. Do you have some more naturalists’ hints for the audience? Leave a comment and let us know. Thanks.